Robinson Report: NW Ohio Power Rankings

<p></p>   <p>The first edition of Mike Robinson's power ranking launched last week, and I think some people were shocked at how teams were rated. I understand that some groups will be undefeated headed into league games, but that does not always tell the story; for instance, Lima Senior was riding a 3-0 wave, but Toledo St. John's Jesuit won big despite coming into the game with a 1-2 record. You have to look at the strength of schedule, depth of rosters, and coaching. Being a top team means you are solid in all game phases and can endure some banged-up players while still managing to win football games. </p>   <p><strong>Week 4 Power Rankings - Big Schools </strong></p>   <h2><strong>#5 - Whitmer Panthers </strong> 2-2 (1-0) </h2>   <p>I have Whitmer ranked at #5 for the second straight week due to a lack of movement in the four teams ahead. The Panthers will be tested this week vs. talent-loaded Findlay Trojans, who are desperately looking for a second win. Star Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='425541' first='Jasen' last='Kelly'] led the Panthers, and they handled business last Friday vs. Toledo St. Francis De Sales in a 41 to 7 victory. They also had vital turnovers and pressured the Knights' offense all night, with a critical play going to Armon Bowman on an interception for a touchdown. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/UWSA6feISMo </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2><strong>#4 - Fremont Ross </strong> 4-0 (1-0) </h2>   <p>One of two teams that moved in my power rankings, and oddly enough, a team that won by 30 plus points moved back a spot; let me explain. Fremont Ross dominated the Clay Eagles on offense and, at times, on special teams, too, but defensively, they had some holes. I predicted a 30-point win on Gameday Nation on Friday night but didn't expect the defense to give up 30 points. Now, credit goes to the Clay QB [player_tooltip player_id='1147032' first='Mason' last='Heintschel'], who hooked up with his favorite target Evin Baker for multiple TDs. Clay was 3-0 heading, but Fremont has serious firepower with [player_tooltip player_id='92620' first='Kaden' last='Holmes'], the four-year starter earning over 100 career touchdowns for the Little Giants in week three vs. Sandusky. Ross will have to get more out of their defense if they want to keep the streak alive. This week they take on St. Francis De Sales on Friday night at the Glass Bowl.</p>   <p>Video: Brasen Sims with the game-ending interception in the video below. </p>   <p class="has-small-font-size"></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.tiktok.com/@4thandgoal/video/7141922490292473130?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7060239912466138630 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2><strong>#3 - Anthony Wayne </strong> 4-0 (1-0) </h2>   <p>Fremont Ross and Anthony Wayne are trading places this week in my top 5 power rankings. With Ross giving up too much on defense Anthony Wayne almost pitched a shutout for the 21st time in head coach Andy Brungard's career at AW. Now they did play and beat a team who hadn't won a game in 3 seasons, but they did what was expected and blew them out. I gave them the nod with them winning the way they did in a 41-3 beat down over league foe Maumee. AW will take on the red hot and up-and-coming Southview Cougars at home in a battle of the undefeated. [player_tooltip player_id='274391' first='Joe' last='Caswell'] and England Allen are the game breakers for the Generals. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/CiHKvMJyR34 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p></p>   <h2><strong>#2 - Perrysburg </strong> 3-1 (1-0) </h2>   <p>You don't have to be undefeated to be a top-tier team, as you will see with my top 2 teams. Perrysburg has a good group of seniors with experience playing big games over the years. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='198901' first='TJ' last='Takats'] is one of the most underrated players in our region. TJ can get it done by land or air mail and makes it look too easy at times; I question whether he wants to play football like his backfield mate [player_tooltip player_id='92615' first='Connor' last='Walendzak'] who de-committed from Purdue baseball to become a D1 scholarship player at Toledo. Coaches, his DMs are open, I heard! This unit slipped in week one but has all the tools to stay the course and look to cause problems in the playoffs. This week they will have to face the new rushing record holder for the Napoleon Wildcats, [player_tooltip player_id='315553' first='Andrew' last='Williams'], who rushed for 355 yards last week. Perrysburg can't get caught napping this week as the recent two weeks following will have lots of implications. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/kMMk64Vyr24 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p></p>   <h2><strong>#1 - Central Catholic </strong> 3-1 (1-0) </h2>   <p>Say hello to the bad boys of Northwest Ohio, the Fighting Irish. Central Catholic has not lost a league game since the 2017 season; yes, you read that correctly. Perrysburg and AW are two teams that the Irish have not played in years but come close to matching up with Anthony Wayne each year in the D2 region six playoffs. Central took down the Findlay Trojans to start league play in a convincing 50-17 blowout victory. [player_tooltip player_id='126481' first='Tywaun' last='Clark'] has been the beneficiary of the physical offensive line of the Irish led by [player_tooltip player_id='284582' first='Mark' last='Nave'] and Elijah Williams, which has cleared the way for Clark and [player_tooltip player_id='274392' first='Chris' last='Edmonds']. Mehki Warren has been an added boost to the offense, while Michael Cannings and Deandre Ellis hold down the front seven on defense. Toledo football verbal commit [player_tooltip player_id='274825' first='Braden' last='Awls'] has also been lights out along with under-the-radar prospect [player_tooltip player_id='274829' first='Duryea' last='Hall']. Central will take on the speedy deep threat Matty Swift in a good old rivalry game this Friday. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BbFvQJ9uCU </div></figure>